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Medical Forum / General / Vision / April 2006Progressives and lens choices
I have read many posting on this subject, but I end up seeing so many contradictory responses that it is hard to draw ny conclusions. So here is the not so short version. I am 46 and have never worn glasses. IN the last year, after much sqinting and straining, I realized I need ot use reading glasses - not super strong; 1.5 (or even less) is fine. Having now broken and lost many pairs of reading glasses, and not wanting to carry more junk in my pockets anyway, I decided to see if I could get progressive readers - basically clear glass with magnification on the bottom. Since I have not had an eye exam in my memory, I went ahead and did that. I don't have the script in front of me, but it seems there were 2 rows of info and several columns. IN the first column was -025, and then (I think) several colunms over was "125" (which may have been in the lower row), and finally the add 1.50. The next row was "PLA", "-025," and then the +1.50. From my understanding this is a pretty minor correction - not surprised since I was unaware of anything needing correction at all. The correction is distance, and it really just makes things crisper (kinda nice, but certainly not necessary - except street signs at night are now more readable). THe progressives (Ovation, they tell me at Lenscrafters) have a rather narrow reading section - it works, but if I was to sit down and do a ton of reading, I'd put on regular readers. The distance is beautiful - but finding a midrange point is terrible. This makes working on a laptop totally annoying (seems to be a rather small window where I can get a clear shot at the screen, but it is extremely narrow - not enough to really scan the page or even a paragraph.) For as many recommendations as I have seen for progressives, I cannot believe this is the best they can do. Having to move your head for everything is one thing, but this midrange hunting around for the sweet spot is ridiculous. I've been back to the store and they suggested upgrading to something (can't remember what they said, but I got the impression is was the next step up from Ovation - Featherweights or something maybe?), explaining that the midrange is longer, but it would also lower the reading (which is plenty low as it is). Any thoughts on what to do? Or are all progressives this restrictive? Dear Andy, As a doc in his 50's who has gone through LASIK to gain normal vision for distance, I have been through them all. Here are my conclusions based upon what works for me. I have maybe -0.75 astig X180 in both eyes reaminaing after LASIK six years ago. I have a pair of reading glasses for normal everyday reading and work for seeing patients, and I have a pair of computer reading glasses which are specifically designed progressives. General wear PAL's (progressive addition lenses) let you see clearly at far when you look straight ahead. In the "CRT" glasses, straight ahead will give you your mid-range prescription. This way, you do not get a crick in your neck sitting on the computer. I also have a third pair of glasses which is a general PAL for night driving so I can see the dash more clearly. Simply put, break down your tasks and figure out our visual needs for each and order your pescruiptions accordingly. My CRT glasss stay on the computer desk. My driving glasses and plano sungelasses stay in the car. My reading glasses are on me all the time. A common misconception by many lay people is that you should have one pair of glasses for all tasks. In an ideal situation, this could work with a PAL for distance, mid-range and near. But in today's multi-tasking society, it is best to think twice and prescribe based upon your specific needs rather than go for the all-in-one approach. -Dr. Tom > I have read many posting on this subject, but I end up seeing so many > contradictory responses that it is hard to draw ny conclusions. So [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] > > Any thoughts on what to do? Or are all progressives this restrictive? >I have read many posting on this subject, but I end up seeing so many > contradictory responses that it is hard to draw ny conclusions. So [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] > > Any thoughts on what to do? Or are all progressives this restrictive? 1. Watch out the quacks on this forum. 2. Stay away from Lenscrafters. A high quality independent optical shop or OD would be best, but even discounters like Wal-Mart and Costco are much better than Lenscrafters because they sell some high-end lenses. Lenscrafters sells junk and their "sales" people are incompetent, especially when it comes to fitting and understanding progressives.. For your mild Rx, you don't need a high index material. The higher the index, the worse the optics, and in many cases the smaller the reading area. The only exception is polycarbonate, which at 1.59 is not the highest index available, but it has the absolutely worst optics of any commonly available lens material. The Lenscrafters Featherweights are polycarbonate, and completely inappropriate for such a mild Rx as you have. Demand you 30 day money back guarantee, and go somewhere else. The thing to remember is that your are shopping for 3 things: A frame, a lens design, and a material. Most progressive lens designs (including Essilor Ovation) come in deferent materials, each with a different refraction index (and different optical qualities). You are also paying for someone who does a proper fitting of the frame and the lens, which is critically important when it comes to progressives. Working with an older optician, preferably one is old enough to wear progressives, is best. For your mild Rx, I would recommend a mid index (1.54) material like Spectralite, which is only available on Sola Lenses. You should also consider regular plastic (1.50 index, also known as CR-39 or hard resin). The key is to get this material in a high-end lens design that has a wide reading area, such is available from Varilux, Rodenstock, Sola, Hoya, and others. An independent optical shop can usually get any brand (although they tend to favor certain brands). Most chains only have low-end designs such as Essilor Ovation (Essilor also makes the high-end Varilux). Wal-Mart and Costco are one of the few chains that sell some high-end progressive lens designs. Ovation is a cheap lens made for the south american market. There isn't much good about them. Get Lenscrafters to remake the lenses as a panamic design, it is much better. dr grant > Ovation is a cheap lens made for the south american market. There isn't > much good about them. Get Lenscrafters to remake the lenses as a > panamic design, it is much better. > > dr grant Lenscrafters does not make Panamic in their own labs, they have to special order them. The price they charge for Panamic is very high, although more reasonable if one can get it at a 50% off sale (which Lenscrafters seems to offer frequently). > I have read many posting on this subject, but I end up seeing so many > contradictory responses that it is hard to draw ny conclusions. So [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > pockets anyway, I decided to see if I could get progressive readers - > basically clear glass with magnification on the bottom. My doctor told me at one point that I needed to wear "eye protection". I went to the drugstore and they had bifocals with no correction on the top and a small "add" on the bottom. They worked quite well and were dirt cheap (non-prescription). I wore them a couple of times for a few weeks each (after eye surgery). I loaned them to a couple of people at work who also had eye surgery and needed eye protection. I still have them, but the "add" is way too weak for what I need now.  SignatureDan Abel dabel@sonic.net Petaluma, California, USA >I have read many posting on this subject, but I end up seeing so many >contradictory responses that it is hard to draw ny conclusions. So [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] >For as many recommendations as I have seen for progressives, I cannot >believe this is the best they can do. Believe it. >Having to move your head for >everything is one thing, but this midrange hunting around for the sweet >spot is ridiculous. The boundaries are obvious initially, then diminish with increased wear. > I've been back to the store and they suggested >upgrading to something (can't remember what they said, but I got the [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > >Any thoughts on what to do? Or are all progressives this restrictive? The short answer is to use the readers for extended close tasks and the progressives for general purpose use. Hope this helps Robert Martellaro ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Optician/Owner Roberts Optical ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "If a million people believe a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing." - Anatole France |
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